The Fijian delegation has the honour to extend its gratitude and appreciation to you and members of the panel for your valuable insights. We also thank the Secretariat for circulating the concept note that has formed the basis of our discussions this afternoon.

The Fijian Delegation to a UN meeting on indigenous rights was advised today that the indigenous people of Fiji are firmly in control of their destiny. The 14th session of United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues is currently underway at the UN Headquarters in New York.

The Commission on Population and Development is underway at the United Nations this week, addressing a theme of “realizing the future we want: integrating population issues into sustainable development, including in the Post-2015 Development Agenda.” This morning, the Commission heard a statement from the Fijian delegation highlighting population issues from Fiji and the Pacific Small Island Developing States.